Herbacetin is a pentahydroxyflavone that is kaempferol substituted by a hydroxy group at position 8. It is a natural flavonoid from flaxseed which exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. It has a role as an EC 4.1.1.17 (ornithine decarboxylase) inhibitor, an EC 3.4.22.69 (SARS coronavirus main proteinase) inhibitor, an antineoplastic agent, an antilipemic drug, an angiogenesis inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, an apoptosis inducer and a plant metabolite. It is a pentahydroxyflavone and a 7-hydroxyflavonol. It is functionally related to a kaempferol.
